How Does Electronic Brake Force Distribution Works?

Updated on June 27, 2011

EBD or electronic brake force
distribution is the better half of anti lock braking system as explained in my
previous articles on car safety technology. This technology also helps in
preventing car accidents to some extent. Although safe driving plays an
important role in a driver’s life, constant addition of new car safety
technologies likes anti braking system and electronic brake force distribution
system help prevent some minor and major motor vehicle accidents caused on
roads. This is the reason why buying a car equipped with this new technology
has become the most important car safety factor for driving, whether it is
highway or city driving.

EBD or electronic brake force distribution system, as
commonly known is an electronic device which true to its name, controls and distributes
the amount of braking force applied to each wheel. It varies the amount of
brake force supplied to each wheel depending on road surface (uneven or even), speed
of vehicle, and load conditions. Being an integral part of anti lock braking
system technology, electronic brake force distribution system can decrease or
increase the amount of braking pressure to maximize the braking force and control
of the vehicle. In most of the cases, the vehicles are front heavy (being front
engined) so it always supplies more brake force to the front wheels and less to
rear wheels so that in case of a sudden and strong brake application, the rear
wheels do not get locked up and cause skid.

How electronic brake force distribution system works? | Source

How Does EBD Work?

EBD or electronic brake force
distribution system is a subsystem of anti lock braking system which helps in
controlling the braking force applied to rear wheels. Electronic brake force
distribution system helps in reduction of pressure applied on hydraulic brake
force system in automobiles. Electronic brake force distribution system also
helps in optimizing the design of braking system associated with driving
stability, adhesion utilization, wear or damage, pedal force, and temperature
stress.

The above was the technical term of EBD and in simple
terms EBD is dependant on various sensors for feedback. In case if any of the
wheels start loosing traction due to load or slippery conditions, the sensors
send a signal to the master sensor and it then instructs the electronic brake
force distribution system to stop or reduce supplying braking force to that
particular wheel; therefore, controlling the possibility of a skid as if the
wheel which has lost traction still keeps supplying the brake force to it, it
will not help in stopping the automobile and in fact will put more load on
other wheels applying braking force and wasting their effort.

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